Cloud Networking Architecture

An Integrated Networking Platform Built for Management

The Meraki story in two minutes.

What is Cloud Networking?

Cloud Networking provides centralized management, visibility, and control without the cost and complexity of controller appliances or overlay management software.

Cisco Meraki products are built from the ground up for cloud management, and come out of the box with centralized management, layer 7 device and application visibility, real time web-based diagnostics, monitoring, reporting, and much, much more.
Cisco Meraki deploys quickly and easily, without training or proprietary command line interfaces.

Meraki’s founders invented Cloud Networking while working as graduate students at M.I.T. Cisco Meraki now has a complete line of cloud networking products that power over 20,000 customer networks, including massive global deployments with tens of thousands of devices.

Future proof and always up to date, with seamless over-the-web firmware updates and new features delivered quarterly

Common Questions about the Cisco Meraki Architecture

No. Cisco Meraki uses an out of band management architecture, meaning that only management data flows through the Meraki cloud infrastructure. No user traffic passes through Meraki's datacenters, and your data stays on your network.

What happens if I can't access the Cisco Meraki cloud?

Your network continues to function normally even if you can't access the cloud. Users can authenticate, firewall rules remain in place, and traffic flows at full line rate. Only management functions – reports, configuration tools, etc. – are interrupted.

How do firmware upgrades work? How often do I get new features?

Meraki provides firmware updates via seamless, over-the-web upgrades. Cisco Meraki releases updates each quarter that contain new features, performance improvements, and other enhancements. Firmware upgrades are delivered securely over the web, which you can reschedule or cancel at any time.

What sized network is most appropriate for Cisco Meraki?

The Cisco Meraki cloud architecture provides a feature set that is rich enough for large enterprise deployments, yet is easy enough to be used by IT generalists without training. Cloud based infrastructure provides cost advantages in both small and large networks, and the Cisco Meraki cloud infrastructure scales seamlessly from small branches to large campus environments and distributed networks..

How does Cisco Meraki security compare to traditional network infrastructure?

Cisco Meraki has made major investments in the security of its cloud infrastructure, providing safeguards and tools to all Meraki customers. For example, Meraki undergoes daily penetration testing by an independent 3rd party, has received PCI Level 1 certification, and provides numerous security tools to help customers to harden their networks.